EMPD’s media unit disbarred
The City of Ekurhuleni says they are looking at ways of bettering the offerings of the city, amid a decision to rescind the EMPD’s media unit.
Gauteng city region’s metro police departments utilise their media units for various informative sessions, including accidents, incidents, licensing services, departmental successes, and more.
However, the Kathorus Mail has learnt that EMPD’s media unit has recently been disbarred.
Eight officers carried out communications and media work at the EMPD, issuing daily updates that are essential in giving the public insight into what the officers are doing and why they are doing it.
“The department has a structure of media; the decision to rescind remains a mystery. Conditions remain unchanged, except for the duties which the appointment carries. News distribution will heavily be affected, we are talking all media spaces, print, TV and radio, as daily traffic updates were given to over 10 stations and that has been halted,” explained an EMPD officer.
When asked whether a specific reason why the media unit got disbarred was provided, the EMPD officer said no reasons were provided.
The officer said they were instructed to refer enquiries and traffic updates to the City of Ekurhuleni’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini.
In response, Dlamini said every institution gets to review its performance at a given stage and that that is normal.
He said the city was looking at ways to better its offerings.
“The officers working there are trained EMPD members and their key task is policing, which they will continue to do. Regarding communications and media work, we have a fully-fledged communications department in the city which will ensure that this work continues unhindered,” he explained.
